Galaxy S5 Purportedly Features Samsung’s Own Fingerprint Sensor

Every year there is a widespread speculation on the hardware specifications of the “Next Big Thing” that will be here. For the first time in quite some time, we are seeing a new hardware feature rather than an expansion in resolution, memory or cores.

The rumor that have been swirling fastest and hardest around the Samsung Galaxy S5—slated for a late February release at Mobile World Congress—is the fingerprint sensor. What’s even more amazing about this possible development is that the fingerprint sensor could be embedded under the display itself, recognizing your print as you’re swiping to unlock your display.

Compared to the touch fingerprint scanner found in the iPhone 5S home button, a swipe scanner will detect a swiping motion across the sensor. Being located under the display, this would allow a larger recognition area and thus easier access to one’s device. Development of an in-house sensor would fit to the display technology-minded company. If Apple can do it, why couldn’t Samsung? A little bit of one-upsmanship in the process couldn’t hurt either.

We still have to remind ourselves that Samsung will still sell millions of S5s regardless of whether or not this feature is implemented, so the real question will be whether or not Samsung is willing to take a hit to their margin to bring cutting edge technology to their users. We’re hoping they do… at least by the S6.